ASIA/PAKISTAN - Bhatti “killed for religious hatred” which is being fueled in public schools: missionary's analysis

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – Shahbaz Bhatti was killed “because he was a Christian, an infidel and a blasphemer.” His assassination is part of a “religious war to eliminate those who wish to amend the blasphemy law. By the grace of Allah, those who are members of the Commission to review the law, will go to hell.” Local sources report to Fides that these are some of the statements contained in the leaflet claiming the murder of Minister Bhatti, several copies of which were left by the commando that killed him and which were signed by the network of Taliban groups “Tehrik-i-Taliban- Punjab”.
These claims show that “Minister Bhatti was killed for religious hatred,” Fr Robert McCulloch, SSC, told Fides in an interview. He has been a St Columban missionary for over 20 years in Pakistan and has direct contact with the Minister's family . “The killers have made another tremendous step forward in the name of religion. All those who are committed to the reform of the blasphemy laws are in danger,” says the missionary.
The murders motivated by religion - remarks Fr McCulloch – are advocated publicly in Pakistan by Islamic extremists who define them as “acts that are pleasing to Allah and that guarantee immediate salvation.” These are statements that a civil state should stop. “How many deaths must we wait for until the civil authorities and moderate Muslims take a position together and institute effective measures against such a barbaric and perverse use of religion?”, the missionary asks.
The analysis of Fr Robert continues: “Religious hatred is cultivated and nurtured in Pakistan's public schools” which have become “closely linked to the madrasas”. One reason for the spread of this mentality “is a distorted education system. The distortion of facts in school textbooks is a major source of extremist tendencies, which have a devastating impact on society.” In some official texts, religious minorities are completely excluded and not even considered “part of the nation.”
“The primary source of the corruption of human values and the political manipulation of religion in Pakistan - which justifies the 'legal persecution' of Asia Bibi and the elimination of Bhatti – is in bad education programs, introduced by the dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s and maintained by the Pakistani government until now,” concludes the missionary. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 3/3/2011)